5 Benefits of Choosing Metal Core PCBs for Your Projects

Introduction:

5 Benefits of Choosing Metal Core PCBs for Your Projects- The possibilities are infinite with technology. Computers now come in very handy, while mobile phones have multiple functions that did not exist many years ago. These devices can provide these functions with the help of tiny circuits that can be found in these technologies. Electronic boards can be very complex due to the continuous shrinking of the size of electronics.

Printed Circuit Boards, or PCBs, are the circuit boards where the tiny electronic components 0sit to serve various functions. These boards are designed and built according to customer specifications to optimize performance and reliability while considering the cost of materials and processing. Many types of PCBs have been developed to cater to the increasing need for electronics that can be used for high-power and high-speed applications.

The type of PCB to use relies on the end requirements and applications. For high-power applications, MPCBs or Metal Core PCBs are best for high-power electronics. We will know more about the benefits of MPCBs and why they can be the best choice for your project.

What are Metal Core PCBs?

A Metal Core PCB or MPCB is an application-specific type of PCB that is designed for applications that need effective dissipation of heat. The thermally conductive metal core helps with the transfer of heat. It is important to have an effective path for heat to prevent it from damaging the parts.  Let us dissect the compositions of a metal core circuit board.

• Metal Core: The metal core acts as the main channel for heat dissipation. The top options for the metal core are aluminium, copper and steel. These metals are characterized by good electrical and thermal conductivity, excellent mechanical strength, affordability and wide availability.
• Dielectric Layer: The dielectric layer is a thermally conductive layer with good dielectric properties. It allows heat to pass through the layers while electrically isolating the metal core and the conductive layer.
• Conductive Circuit Layer: This is the layer that we see on top of the MPCB. It is made of copper traces and pads that define the circuitry of the PCB. Copper is the common metal of choice due to its superior electrical conductivity.

What are the Different Applications of Metal Core PCBs?

The following important applications benefit from using metal core PCBs.

• LED and Lighting Systems. The luminous performance of LED and lighting systems is improved with the utilization of a metal-core circuit board. The service life of these types of devices is also improved by using MPCBs.
• Renewable Energy System. The increasing adoption of renewable energy systems also necessitates the need for reliable printed circuit boards such as metal core circuit boards. These applications in the energy segment where MPCBs are broadly used include power inverters and control systems.
• Automotive Electronics. Automotive electronic devices like headlights and power modules consist of metal-core PCBs. The low thermal resistance of metal core boards helps in the robust performance of components even in harsh conditions.

How are Metal Core PCBs Fabricated?

We will discuss thoroughly in the following parts the different processes in fabricating metal core printed circuit boards.

1. Dielectric Layer Application. The surface of the metal core is first cleaned and conditioned to remove contaminants and oxides. The dielectric layer, a pre-preg material made of fibreglass, is applied to the metal core.
2. Copper Foil Application. The copper layer is added to the stack forming the circuit of the board.
3. Lamination Process. A lamination step is required to press together the layers with the application of heat and pressure. This process ensures that the layers will establish a strong bond.
4. Drilling. Holes are drilled into the metal core circuit boards to establish connections across the layers.
5. Etching. The copper layer is etched to form the circuit pattern.
6. Surface Finishing. The exposed copper pads and traces are coated with a surface finish to protect them against corrosion.

What are the Top 5 Benefits of Choosing Metal Core PCBs?

In this section, we will discuss the different strengths and benefits of choosing metal-core PCBs for your project.

• Excellent Thermal Performance. The primary motivation for selecting a metal core PCB is its excellent thermal performance. The metal core, which can be copper or aluminium, serves as a thermal path, enhancing the performance of the device. Despite the thermal conductivity of the metal core, it should also be important to put consideration to the choice of the insulating layer as it affects the overall thermal efficiency of the metal core circuit board.
• Longer Device Life. As there is a good dissipation route for heat, the mounted component can perform at longer life and duration even at high temperatures. Metal core boards are extensively applied in lighting applications such as in LED printed circuit boards. The LEDs can operate can dissipate heat well during power conversion with the use of MPCBs.
• Better Device Performance. With metal core boards and good heat transfer efficiency, the device can work optimally. The rise in temperature of electronic parts can adversely affect their performance under dynamic conditions. In real applications, the device will operate at varying heat conditions from internal and external factors, thus, the choice of MPCB will strengthen the device’s thermal performance.
• Weight and Size Reduction. Incorporating a high thermal conductivity metal in the metal core circuit board helps in weight and size reduction. More high-power components can be mounted in a unit area of the PCB due to the effective dissipation of heat within the system. Putting more cooling systems may not be necessary as the metal core exists already as a heat spreader. Good thermal performance provides PCB designers with more flexibility in terms of layout and schematics.
• Versatility in Applications. Metal core circuit boards have a wide range of applications due to the benefits they offer in the aspects of performance and reliability. MPCBs can be in several configurations, from single to multi-layered PCBs, which can be used on different device systems. They are most useful in high-power applications where thermal performance is important. Their strength and durability also give them an advantage for applications having harsh environments. Now many PCB fabrication manufacturers can provide almost all these MPCBs according to the designers’ requirements and ensure the PCB quality.